SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1973
STP34714S

The ABC's of Pollutant Bioassay Using Fish

Source

This is a recommended method for tests of acute toxicity of pollutants to fish. Improved procedures are recommended: chiefly, more frequent observations of mortality and simple statistical treatment. The four-day lethal concentration or the lethal threshold concentration should be used as the final expression of the test result. Toxicity curves should be constructed as the experiment progresses, for the information of the investigator. Tests should provide at least two liters, and preferably three liters of test water per gram of fish per day, whether the test is static or continuous-flow. Tests should not be aerated. Standard species such as rainbow trout are recommended.

Effects of mixtures should be assessed by adding toxicant concentrations which have been expressed as fractions of the lethal concentration. Some suggestions are made for using the standard bioassay technique in experiments on sublethal and chronic effects.

Author Information

Sprague, JB
University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Price: $25.00
Contact Sales
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Developed by Committee: D19
Pages: 6–30
DOI: 10.1520/STP34714S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4626-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0114-2